Cleveland moved up six spots in the third round of the 1995…
Cleveland moved up six spots in the third round of the 1995 draft for quarterback Eric Zeier, sending Green Bay picks 90 and 160. Zeier made 12 NFL starts and went 4-8. The Packers used No. 90 on Antonio Freeman, who became Brett Favre’s top receiver, caught 61 career touchdowns and starred on a Super Bowl champion. Green Bay also received the extra fifth-round pick, making the trade a major Packers win.
Cleveland Browns Received
- pick 1995 3rd round pick (84th overall, Eric Zeier )
Green Bay Packers Received
- pick 1995 3rd round pick (90th overall, Antonio Freeman)
- pick 1995 5th round pick (160th overall, Jay Barker)
Trade Analysis
Cleveland’s motivation was understandable. Quarterback uncertainty defined much of the franchise’s final years before relocation, and the Browns moved from No. 90 to No. 84 to select Georgia quarterback Eric Zeier. Zeier had a strong college résumé and offered developmental upside. In the NFL, however, he never became a long-term answer. He appeared in 28 games, started 12, finished 4-8 as a starter, and threw for 3,520 career yards.
Green Bay moved down only six positions and found a much more valuable player. At No. 90, the Packers selected Virginia Tech receiver Antonio Freeman. Freeman became one of Brett Favre’s most trusted targets and a central member of Green Bay’s late-1990s offense. He finished his career with 477 receptions, 7,251 receiving yards and 61 touchdowns. He earned Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro recognition, led the NFL in receiving yards in 1998, and contributed to the Packers team that won Super Bowl XXXI. His memorable overtime catch against Minnesota in 2000 became one of the signature plays of that era.
The Packers also received pick No. 160, used on quarterback Jay Barker. Barker did not become an NFL contributor, but Green Bay did not need the extra selection to win the trade. Freeman alone overwhelmingly surpassed Zeier’s professional value.
This is the ideal outcome for a team trading down: Green Bay added capital, stayed in the same portion of the round, and selected the best player involved in the transaction. Cleveland paid extra to target a quarterback who never secured the job. Because Freeman became a championship-level offensive fixture, the Packers’ return reaches elite territory while the Browns are left with a costly miss.